05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway's longest-running music festival granted licence for 2025 event
Knockengorroch organisers faced objections from neighbours about noise and road safety when the council's civic government licensing panel met to discuss their application.
Dumfries and Galloway's longest-running music festival has been granted a new licence just weeks ahead of this year's event.
Knockengorroch organisers faced objections from neighbours about noise and road safety when the council's civic government licensing panel met to discuss their application.
However, it was agreed to grant the licence for one year on the condition a sound management plan is adhered to and new speed limit signs are installed.
Knockengorroch director, Liz Holmes, said: 'We are very pleased with the decision made by the licensing committee, who recognised the hard work and importance we put into safety and abiding by licensing conventions at our festival.
'In the 27 years we have been running we believe we have remained one of the safest and most family friendly festivals around.
'Knockengorroch is a warm and welcoming celebration of people, place, and community with a longstanding history of artistic and educational collaboration, positive tourism, and committed land stewardship.
'Preparations are well underway for Knockengorroch 2025, and we are excited to welcome friends old and new back to the site for a long weekend celebration of surviving and thriving with beautiful Scottish nature, music, and community in the sun.'
Knockengorroch has been held in the hills above Carsphairn since 1998, with this year's festival taking place from May 22 to 25.
rganisers had to apply for a new public entertainment licence as the old one had expired.
Residents in two nearby properties had concerns about noise levels from the music gathering, as well as road and public safety. The Knockengorroch team contested the extent of the problems raised, with Carsphairn Community Council also providing a letter of support for the festival.
Councillors granted the licence on the basis that designated event officers were available t all times to ensure the safety of the objectors and they could access their properties safety.
They also required that 'conspicuous signage' be installed 'advising of a 10mph speed limit and to be aware of livestock'.
And Knockengorroch organisers must follow a sound management plan by submitting a record of monitoring activities, as well as showing what steps they have taken to address noise management.
Environmental health will offer the objectors sound meters, with photos of neighbours' vehicles to be provided to the box office so staff can allow them access.
A future licensing panel meeting will receive a report on the noise monitoring.
It was agreed to grant the licence for one year, rather than three. The permission will allow music to be played until 5am each day of the festival.
